Linksys Router Buying Guide for the Best and Fastest Internet

Almost everything that you need is found online. You can search, interact, read, socialize, and discover a whole lot more. This is only possible if you have a stable internet connection at home or wherever you are, and — if you have a WiFi router that is versatile enough to keep up with all your online activities. It may be streaming, surfing, or gaming leisures.  There are several ways in which people connect to the internet. But the most ideal is through a router. Linksys routers are among the most affordable, yet it provides the perfect connection. All the features depend on your needs.

It is popularly known to be useful for personal and commercial purposes. The company itself caters to unique feature requirements at fair prices. You never have to worry about slow and interrupted internet signals. With a Linksys router, you can enjoy streaming your favorite TV shows and surf the web all day long. You will be able to play online games, perform well at your online work, and all other things.

Read the article and decide for yourself that it is time to upgrade to the best router in the field.

 

What Is Linksys?

 

Linksys is one of the most popular creators of routers in the market. Their products are used by some of the largest internet service providers, thus making them a primary make in this field. They make for Time Warner Cable and Comcast, which are the biggest in the United States. It is the most popular choice for the majority of households. People buy these to achieve a home network with high-speed internet broadband connection.

Their routers are certainly of high-performance. Linksys has fair prices, and evident use of the latest technology. Its hardware can easily be found, installed, and set up. The WiFi range is exceptional. Users do not need to be in the same room to access the same high speed. You can connect to other multiple devices simultaneously and experience equally great connections. The Linksys routers are considered the best among others.

 

10 Best Linksys Routers

What Are Routers?

 

Basically, a router is the backbone of your home network. It is a piece of network hardware that allows communication between the internet and your local home network. Routers are a network’s first line of security from intrusion. They are the physical or virtual appliances that pass information between packet-switched networks. Put simply, a router is a type of gateway. It is positioned where networks meet at an internet’s point of presence.

There are two different types of routers: wired and wireless. Wired routers directly connect to wide-area networks (WAN) or modems through cables. They come with a port that interconnects the modem and internet for communication. Wireless routers connect to devices with the same wireless standards. They can send and receive information to and from the internet.

Routers come in different sizes, shapes, and external appearances. They can also be traditional or virtual. The traditional routers are those stand-alone devices that use proprietary software. Whereas, virtual routers run in commodity servers. But still, they perform the same as the physical ones.

 

How Do They Work?

Many interconnected devices at home are smartphones, computers, tablets, and smart TVs. The router works by connecting a network through these devices. The information traveling on your home network could be a live feed, a movie, or an email.

All these take a varying amount of bandwidth, but a router makes sure it is delivered quickly.  They forward data packets between them. A router assigns a local IP address to each device on the network. It directs any incoming and outgoing internet traffic most quickly and efficiently. A router chooses the best route for your information to travel. It acts as a dispatcher and connects your business to the world. Moreover, it is responsible for protecting your information from security threats.

 

Things to Consider When Buying a Linksys Router

ISP and Router Speed Compatibility

 

There are different standards and speeds for each variety of Linksys routers. But, the actual performance of your internet depends on your ISP. Other things affect data transmission within your network. These are the router’s distance, physical obstructions, and adapter. It also includes the presence of other WiFi networks. The ISP bandwidth and router speed plays a vital role in getting the fastest possible connection for your devices. If both operate at the same speed, one of the two is responsible for the network bottleneck. This might limit the internet performance.

 

The Router Type

Linksys offers different types of a router that will cater to your specific needs. It varies if you are looking for the simple with cheap prices or the extra-performing ones. You can choose from routers that are best for streaming movies and TV shows or those that are fit if you are working from home. Linksys also offers routers with the best performance even when in long ranges or big houses. Some routers are made intentionally for gaming purposes.  Others emphasize customization, which lets you alter depending on your preferences.

 

Built-In Modems

A modem and a router are not interchangeable matters. Both are needed for speedy and better internet connection. A modem is a device that takes the medium cable such as phone, fiber, and coax cable, from the IPS. Then, the modem converts it to an ethernet. Through this, the router will be able to create a local network and share resources. It provides a private address that is needed for traffic and security.

 

Security Features

Security features are important because these protect your WiFi network. They restrict outside attacks and malware. Some of these are the WPA2 Encryption, Guest Network Access, VPN, antivirus, firewall, and Parental Controls. The older your router is, the less security it offers. You can also check this article for tips and tricks and to see who is taking advantage of your WiFi and making it function slowly.

 

How to Use a Linksys Router

Linksys lets you manage your router in two ways: browser interface or the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app. Through these, you can have access to your network status, map, and even internet bandwidth. It also permits you to go through the device information, IP addresses, and MAC addresses. Moreover, you can access info about any external storage connected to your router.

 

How to Set Up/Log Into the Router Using a Browser Interface

1. Connect an Ethernet port to the router with labels “Internet” or “WAN.” Then, connect the other port at the end of the cable on your modem.
2. Connect your computer on ports 1, 2, 3, or 4 through an Ethernet cable.
3. Connect a power outlet to your router. It should have a supplied power adapter. Wait until the router has finished initializing.
4. Open your computer and launch any web browser. Enter the address of your router. In this case, Linksys’ address is http://192.168.1.1. Press “Enter.”
5. Type in your username and password. If you have not set your own yet, enter “Admin” as the default input.

 

How to Set Up/Log Into the Router Using Linksys Smart WI-FI App

 

1. Make sure that the modem is connected to the router through the internet port.
2. On your phone, go to “Settings” and connect the device to SSID or the default wireless network name.
3. Type in your password and tap “Join.”
4. Install the Linksys app on your phone.
5. After it downloads, tap the “Log in with the Router Password” link. Enter the admin router password.
6. Follow the setup instructions and select “Continue.”
7. Read and accept the License Terms of the software and click “Next.”
8. Put a network name and password for your router. Click “Next” and follow the given instructions.
9. After these, go back to “Settings” and select the changed network name.
10. Open the Linksys app again.  Then create your password so you can access the router’s settings.
11. Tap “Add to account” to finalize your settings.

 

How to Access External Storage

1. Format the USB or external storage to FAT32 or NTFS file system. The Linksys router is only compatible with devices that have this format.
2. Connect the external storage to your computer.
3. Open the “MiniTool Partition Wizard” and launch the main interface. Click on the “Format Partition”  at the left pane.
4. Select the right file system: FAT32 or NTFS. Click “OK,” and then “Apply.”
5. Plug and connect your external storage to the router.  Sign in to your account to access the dashboard.
6. Look at the screen’s overview by clicking “Manage External Storage.”
7. Access the files on your network and see the status of your external storage through a folder.
8. Type your IP address on the File Explorer. There, you can see the folders and shared files of the external storage.

 

How to Change Channels on the Router

 

Users feel the need to change channels because of too much traffic on one bandwidth. This generally results in the slow speed of your internet. Learn how to change it when one is congested.

1. Open your computer and make sure that it is connected to the router. This can either be through WiFi or an ethernet wired connection.
2. On your web browser, type the default Linksys IP address: 192.168.1.1.
3. Once you are redirected to the login page, type your username and password. In case you do not know your router’s IP address, look at the bottom of it.
4. On the main page of your Linksys router, you are free to tweak and adjust the settings.
5. Tap on the “Settings” found at the top of the page.
6. Click “Basic Wireless Settings,” and select “Manual.” Here you can do specific changes about your router.
7. On the drop-down menu, choose and change to the channel you want to operate on your router.
8. Choose the specific channel on the “Channel” heading.
9. Save changes and preferences. Close the window.

 

How to Find and Change Router Password

1. Open a web browser and enter the IP address. Press “Enter.” Check here for the Linksys default password list.
2. Type in your credentials on the provided fields. Use your personalized username and password. If you haven’t changed it yet, leave the username blank and type “admin” for the password.
3. Click the “Wireless” tab, and select the “Wireless Security” sub-tab.
4. Type and enter your preferred WiFi password.
5. Click “Save Settings” to save the changes you made.

 

Maintenance of a Linksys Router

How to Update Router Firmware

 

The router firmware works as an operating system of a network. It configures and customizes the operation of a network and its environment. A firmware is a pre-installed and embedded software like a ROM in a router. Through concrete internet technology, the security level increases. Update your Linksys router quickly in two minutes through these steps:

 

1. Visit your router’s web-based setup page. Open a web browser on your computer or any device, and type “192.168.1.1” on the address bar.
2. Log in on the setup page by typing your administrator credentials. Input your personalized username and password. Leave the boxes blank if you have none.
3. Make sure that the latest firmware runs on your router. Look for the “Firmware Version” at the top-right of the screen.
4. Open a new browser window and search for Linksys Support Page.
5. Type the model number of your router on the search box below “Start Here.”
6. Select the “Administration” tab at the top of the page. Then, click “Firmware Upgrade” on the router setup page.
7. On the pop-up box, click “Browse” then navigate to your computer. Launch the Linksys firmware file and click “Update.”
8. Wait until the upgrade finishes. Click “Continue” on the popup to complete the process.
9. Lastly, restart or reboot your Linksys router.

 

How to Configure Your Router

Configuring your Linksys router is a way of ensuring that you prevent unwanted users from accessing your connection. Doing this will help you protect your information and keep track of user security.

1. Log in to your account by following the stated instructions.
2. To configure, change any available settings for your Linksys device. This way, you are forming particular settings that will secure your router’s security.
3. If you can’t access it, reset your router. Do this by pressing the reset button and wait until it reboots. Do the same process by entering your combination again.
4. If you did no. 3, assign the router with a new username.

 

Final Thoughts on Linksys Routers

 

Undeniably, it is difficult to choose the right router that would best fit your standard. Routers offer unique features and specs, and have reasonable advantages and disadvantages. They also differ in speed, connectivity, and range. The external appearances add form and aesthetic to the routers too. Linksys routers provide the most exceptional kinds that depend on the users’ preferences. With the best 10 routers explained and classified, each has distinct and high-end features. You will certainly be able to choose the right router and investment for you.

For more options, you can check some of the best Wi-Fi boosters that will certainly speed up your internet.